Dimapur, Sep. 25 (EMN): Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), supported by the National Commission for Women (NCW), organised a one-day legal awareness programme on ‘Empowerment of women through entrepreneurship’ in Chizami town under Phek district on September 23.
In her keynote address, NSCW chairperson, Khrienuo Tachü, stated that the commission was committed to the empowerment of women and girls. She highlighted that Naga women, in reality, continue to struggle and face multiple barriers owing to discriminatory customary practices despite a common perception that Naga women enjoy equal social status with men.
While pointing out that Naga women do not have inheritance rights and almost no participation in decision making in public spaces such as the village council at the grassroots, she therefore stated that ‘economic empowerment for women becomes critical to overcome such barriers,’ an update from NSCW stated.
She lauded Chizami village for including women in their decision making bodies. She added that when women become financially independent and stand on their own feet, she would be respected in the society and claim her rightful space in the society.
She further encouraged the participants to develop entrepreneurial skills, be focused and passionate, and uphold the value of dignity of labour.
Weko-u Mero, under secretary of the Justice and Law department, facilitated the session on ‘Women legal education.’ She highlighted the various legal rights for women guaranteed by the Indian Constitution such as Code on Wages 2019, Indecent Representation of Women Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) 2005, Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) 2012, Maternity benefit (Amendment) Act 2017.
Dr. Visakhonü Hibo, principal of Japfü Christian College, facilitated the session on ‘Vocational education – Up-skilling and Re-skilling’ where she encouraged the participants to develop skills and utilise the rich biodiversity such as plants, fruits, livestock etc., for enhancing one’s livelihoods.
She also shared and demonstrated several food processing recipes using indigenous fruits, spices and plants. She further highlighted the need to maintain hygiene, quality control, use good packaging, and develop marketing skills to make any enterprise a successful enterprise.
Speaking on ‘Naga textiles – Chizami weaves and livelihood opportunities,’ Seno Tsühah, honorary member of North East Network (NEN), shared the case study of Chizami Weaves (CW) – its objectives, journey of CW in enhancing the earning capacities of women towards sustainable livelihoods and social justice, and the lessons learnt.
She also emphasised on the need to develop a good plan before starting any business enterprise – to explore opportunities, identify an area of interest, locate assets, develop a business plan that included a good marketing strategy amongst others.
Colo Mero, director of Life Ministries, spoke on ‘Entrepreneurship - opportunities and challenges,’ wherein he stressed on the need to prepare the children for entrepreneurship or any other livelihood options by imparting life skills and values of hard work at a young age.
The programme was chaired by Bodeno S Colo, NSCW secretary and joint secretary of the Social Welfare department, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Apele Tsuhah, chairperson of Chizami Women Society. It stated that existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs from Chizami town and neighbouring villages attended the programme.
Report also stated that the NSCW team met the members of Chizami Village Council led by the chairman, Kewepelo Tsühah, and appreciated them for including women in the village council and VDB as full-fledged members and for following ‘equal wage for equal work’ principle in the village. NSCW also extended financial assistance to the oldest man and woman of the village through the village council.
NSCW team also visited the CHC Chizami and interacted with the medical officer, Dr. Yelo T Mero, staff and the patients and contributed to help start a ‘Patient’s Welfare Fund’ for the CHC. They also visited NEN Resource Centre and interacted with the staff of Chizami Weaves and encouraged them to keep up the good work in helping women and the community at large.